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“When I thought about the possibilities for a place beyond work space is when Maison really started to come to life,” says Ashley Wu, founder of New York’s new private women’s club, Maison. “Creating a multifaceted social club with a community of women who are in a similar place in their lives became as important as providing a place to work.”
Situated on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Maison aims to serve as an all-encompassing sanctuary of sorts for women who, like Wu, want to escape the circus of working from home or simply catch up with friends over freshly brewed coffee. Working closely with architect Lubrano Ciavarra, interior designer Ronen Lev, and Laura Messman of Two Blu Ducks, Wu and her team dreamt up a multifunctional coworking space that was equal parts sophisticated and playful.
“I wanted Maison to feel as warm and approachable as your best friend’s house,” says Wu. A breezy terrazzo kitchen, swing chairs, and blush pink sofas fit seamlessly into that vision. “I wanted the environment to feel conducive for working, relaxing, learning, and connecting.”
In a world where working remotely often means shooting off emails from the comfort of your bed or sprawling out in the living room, Maison meets entrepreneurs, parents, and homebodies halfway.
A pink wall clad in fish scale tiles greets guests upon arrival, offering a first peek of the soothing palette to come. The same speckled terrazzo by Concrete Collaborative used in the entry makes a second, and not-so-subtle, appearance in the kitchen.
A series of interconnected globe pendants by Lambert and Fils Studio double as interstellar sculptures in the kitchen. Here, members can help themselves to a cup of coffee or midday afternoon bite without feeling like they have to ask permission.
“The mood in each of these areas is its own,” explains Wu. “My designers knew I wanted a clean, warm, modern feel throughout the space, and they achieved it by mixing Scandinavian designers with local makers.”
Anyone who works from home full-time understands the significance of seating. Across the various living areas, there’s a chair for every type of predicament. Taking a casual call? There’s a swing for that. Want to eat while you email? Pull up a barstool. Putting pen to paper? Plop down on a streamlined loveseat.
Maison is currently the only community-driven, private work and social club in the Upper East Side. All members will have access to the club’s programming—from food tastings and author talks to parenting conversations and mini manicures.
Loving the look of the space? Here are three of our favorite pieces in the space, so you can channel work/life balance vibes at home.
Is houndstooth the new checkered? If making power moves is your full-time job, pull up this ultra-chic seat.
It’s fitting that, in a place where exchanging ideas is paramount, this conversation piece makes a sophisticated appearance. The convergence of materials, colors, and shapes makes this coffee table worthy of any living room.
A modern interpretation of early American candle forms, this sleek rotating sconce can reflect or deflect light in any direction you please.
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